Arequipa is becoming the primary cultural capital city of the south.  The events that took place during the week of September 10th to16th are proof that the “white city” is capable of organizing and hosting world-class cultural events.

During September 10th to 16th, close to 20,000 national and international visitors came to Arequipa, primarily to participate in the 28th Mining Convention.

But for the Arequipeños and for the executives that were able to escape from their networking dinners and panel discussions, there were at least three cultural events that were worth attending.

The 2nd Annual International Music Festival was organized primarily by the Alianza Francesa of Arequipa and the Belgian Association “Arequipa.Orgues.” The festival involved five nights of classical and baroque music concerts.  Arequipa’s beautiful Basilica Cathedral was the setting for the opening concert that was held on September 10th.

The festival’s Artistic Director Serge Schoobbroodt played nine historical pieces on the Cathedral’s recently restored organ. The Belgian organ, built by Francois Bernard Loret in 1854, was one of the main protagonists of this year’s festival.  As Michel Marc, the Director of the Alianza Francesa, explained, the festival, the organ, and the music bring “the Belgians, the French, and the Peruvians together.”  The graceful playing of Shoodbroodt lasted a little over an hour and brought a full house to its feet.Cultural Festivals of Arequipa, Peru
 Another highlight of the music festival came on the third night. A Belgian group called “La Roza Enflorese” performed and interpreted music that was composed and sung by the Jewish community that was deported from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand. Since the 16th century, the hymns, poems, and songs have been passed down many generations.  Singing in Hebrew and in Spanish, the sweet vocals of Edith Saint-Mard filled the elegant Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús.  The audience showed their delight by rising to their feet and asking for not one, but three encores.

The second event of the week was a Feria de Comunidades Emprendedoras, which was held in Parque de Selva de Alegre and was organized by the Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Peru.  There were a dozen stands that showcased and sold some of the work being produced by the communities that live adjacent to the Peruvian mines. The artisans brought products made out of silver, textile, wood, and metal.

On the last day of the feria, September 11th , the park was filled with children from several nearby schools. Their teachers seemed to have taken this opportunity to expose them to the beautiful Arequipa sun and to see some Peruvian craftswork.  The Sociedad Nacional de Mineria Petroleo y Energia provided posters and books to the schoolteachers.  Folkloric dancing and music was also performed in a nearby stage. In addition to the mining communities, it would have been beneficial to showcase local industries and artists.   A Gastronomy Festival called Festiglotón was truly an Arequipa highlight.  This is the first time that a festival of this nature was organized in the city and by all measures it can be considered a complete success.  The top restaurants and culinary institutes had stands in the beautiful Plaza de Yanahuara.  The restaurants sold their delicacies and specialties. One could also purchase an Arequipeña or a Cusqueña, and even buy a Queso Helado! Arequipa’s culinary schools also advertised their upcoming classes. The Instituto del Sur (ISUR), a culinary and tourism institute, had ongoing demonstrations by their chefs and students on how to make traditional and typical Arequipa dishes, such as the rocoto relleno and the adobo.  Attentively, the audience took notes on the recipes and they eagerly awaited to try the dishes.

The sillar arches that give shape to the Yanahuara lookout made the perfect backdrop for the main stage. A variety of live music and dancing performances entertained the festival’s attendees. One number which stood out in particular was the group called “Blanco y Negro,” which danced in an Afro-Peruvian style. A Canadian Chef, Alan Kerr, representing Niagara College of Canada and the Instituto del Sur, also took the main stage on Saturday morning.  He demonstrated how to cook a Chupe de Camarones with a Thai twist.  After tasting many of the local Arequipa dishes, Kerr publicly stated that he wished he “could stay further to learn more about Peruvian gastronomy.” He was ecstatic with the diversity of local delicacies and claimed to have never tasted lemons as juicy as the ones he found in Peru. Assisted by the students from ISUR, he gave two additional presentations where he demonstrated a variety of dishes in the art of fusion cooking. In other words, he fused authentic Peruvian and South East Asian dishes.Cultural Festivals of Arequipa, Peru

These three events were well organized and very well attended. They provided an excellent and safe atmosphere for all citizens to enjoy themselves and learn about music, food, and Peruvian artisanship.  Perhaps more importantly, they were free and open to the public. Locals and tourists shared together international, national, and local delicacies, while learning about one another and the rest of the world.  With such success, it is likely that the organizers will work to implement similar events in the future.